One Business returns to Waiben for Small Business Month

A commitment to empowering small businesses with tailored training and pitch-ready support saw Advance Queensland’s One Business return to Waiben for the state’s Small Business Month in May.

One Business founder Leesa Watego (Iscariot Media Pty Ltd) and One Business trainer Tiare Kelsall (Kurnakoo iSolutions) joined local One Business trainer Kantesha Takai (Lola Digital) at the Thursday Island TAFE Precinct to deliver the final phase of the One Business program: the Meet the Buyer Expo Preparation. Through the program, a handful of small businesses and entrepreneurs were able to prepare their pitch decks and scripts for an upcoming ‘Virtual Pitch Day’ scheduled for 20 June 2023.

Tiare said the opportunity to return to Thursday Island was vital to build relationships with local buyers and stakeholders.

“We were able to meet with stakeholders such as Department of Youth Justice, Employment, Small Business and Training (DYJESBT) and Meriba Ged Ngalpun Mab (MGNM) to discuss ways we could further support local small businesses,” she said.

“Being on the Island was also helpful to understand the challenges that local small businesses face on a daily basis; internet being a major issue.”

Kantesha said she was excited to see the return of the One Business program.

“It gave micro businesses the confidence in taking the next step in their business journey,” she said.

“Transitioning from idea to start up or micro-business is a very scary leap for many people, especially because you don’t know what you don’t know, and you don’t know where to go for support.

“One Business bridges that gap, giving valuable startup and foundational support, whilst nurturing business development.”

Over the course of three consecutive days, Tiare, Kantesha and Leesa designed logos, capability statements and other foundational resources required for small businesses to be eligible to pitch to potential corporate and government buyers.

In addition to training, they celebrated Small Business Month with a Blayk Coffee event at Lagaw Titui (Island Stars) Café; which provided a networking space for small businesses to connect and collaborate.

One Business has invited local stakeholders to attend the Virtual Pitch Day in June and confirmed that registrations would open soon.

What’s On IN

To Lead,

Meetings & Events

JUNE 2023

Tuesday 30 May to Friday 2 June Winds of Zenadth Cultural Festival

Friday 2 June Winds of Zenadth Cultural Festival Public Holiday

Monday 5 June Mabo Day Public Holiday

Tuesday 20 June Ordinary Council Meeting

Indigenous Employment and Development (IED) Team Community Visits

The IED team will be visiting local communities over the following dates to conduct Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) assessments with invited LAP Traineeship applicants.

They will also be conducting a meet and greet with any interested community members, regarding further Rio Tinto employment opportunities.

New Mapoon Napranum

Council Conference room, Monday 5 June, 8:30-5pm

IKC office, Tuesday 6 June, 9am- 12pm

Mapoon

Kuku’nathi conference room, Wednesday 7 June, 10am- 1pm

For further information or to find out how you can register your interest in potentially working for Rio Tinto, contact Jo Moloney via email Jo.Moloney@riotinto.com or call 0473 016 007.

Council.